On-vehicle recording/reproduction device, recording/reproduction device, recording/reproduction system, and recording/reproduction method

ABSTRACT

An in-vehicle recording/reproduction device ( 121 ) records in a recording device a program which the user starts watching, and reads and reproduces the data when watching is permitted, such as, for example, when a vehicle is stopped. The in-vehicle recording/reproduction device ( 121 ) transmits recording information about recording, such as a program, a time, and the like, to an in-home recording/reproduction device ( 303 ). The in-home recording/reproduction device ( 303 ) records the same program as that recorded by the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device ( 121 ) based on the recording information. The in-vehicle recording/reproduction device ( 121 ) transmits to the in-home recording/reproduction device ( 303 ) reproduction information indicating which scene was last reproduced in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device ( 121 ). The in-home recording/reproduction device ( 303 ) performs reproduction based on the reproduction information. Thereby, it is possible to watch the rest of the program which was watched in the vehicle, at home without missing a scene.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a signal recording/reproduction device,and more particularly, to a recording/reproduction device, arecording/reproduction system, and a recording/reproduction method forperform reproduction in a vehicle and between the vehicle and homewithout missing a scene.

BACKGROUND ART

For safe driving, existing in-vehicle television systems do not permitthe user to watch video while driving. Therefore, when the user wants towatch a television program in a vehicle, the user has to stop thevehicle.

Japanese Patent No. 3254946 (pages 2 to 4, FIG. 1) proposes anin-vehicle information processing device which allows the user to watchin a vehicle a television program which the user could not watch duringdriving. The in-vehicle information processing device has a hard disk,and records a desired television program when the vehicle is traveling.The in-vehicle information processing device determines whether or notrecording is continued when the vehicle is stopped. When it isdetermined that recording is not continued and reproduction should beperformed, the in-vehicle information processing device reproduces atelevision program which was recorded during driving. Thereby, the usercan watch the television program which the user could not watch duringdriving.

Japanese Patent No. 3249845 (pages 2 to 4, FIG. 1) proposes arecording/reproduction device which can perform recording andreproduction simultaneously. The function of simultaneously performingrecording and reproduction is called “chasing reproduction”, which hasbeen implemented in a hard disk recorder, a DVD-RAM recorder, and thelike.

The in-vehicle information processing device described in JapanesePatent No. 3254946 (pages 2 to 4, FIG. 1) can record video duringdriving and reproduce the video during stopping, i.e., achievestime-shift reproduction. However, if the user wants to watch theentirety of a program, the user has to stay in the vehicle to watch theprogram after arriving at his or her destination.

The user may also program a videocassette recorder, a DVD recorder orthe like at home to record a program in his or her absence. When beingaway from home, the user may start watching the program using thein-vehicle information processing device of Japanese Patent No. 3254946(pages 2 to 4, FIG. 1), but stop watching partway through the program.After being back at home, if the user wants to watch the rest of theprogram, the user has to fast-forward through scenes which have alreadybeen watched of the program recorded in the in-home videocassetterecorder or the like.

The user may happen to watch a program in a vehicle and want to watchthe rest of the program at home. However, unless the timer was notpreset to record the program, the user watches the rest of the programonly after the user reaches a television set after getting off thevehicle. In this case, the user misses senses which were broadcastduring the time when the user moved from the vehicle to the televisionset.

Similarly, when the user wants to watch a television program which theuser was watching at home, the user misses senses which were broadcastduring the time when the user moved from home to the vehicle.

Neither Japanese Patent No. 3254946 (pages 2 to 4, FIG. 1) nor JapanesePatent No. 3249845 (pages 2 to 4, FIG. 1) describes a method for solvingthe above-described problems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide arecording/reproduction device, a recording/reproduction method, and arecording/reproduction system with which the rest of a program which waswatched in a vehicle can be watched at home without missing a scene.

Another object of the present invention is to provide arecording/reproduction device, a recording/reproduction method, and arecording/reproduction system with which the rest of a program which waswatched at home can be watched in a vehicle without missing a scene.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention has the followingaspects.

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to arecording/reproduction system comprising an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device and a recording/reproduction device whichreceive the same signal and can communicate with each other. Thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device is provided in a vehicle. Therecording/reproduction device is provided outside the vehicle. Thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device comprises a first recordingdevice into which data can be recorded and from which the recorded datacan be read out, a reproducing section operable to read and reproducethe data recorded in the first recording device, a recording informationtransmitting section operable to, when starting recording the data inthe in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, transmit to therecording/reproduction device recording information about the data whichthe in-vehicle recording/reproduction device started recording, and areproduction information transmitting section operable to transmit tothe recording/reproduction device reproduction information indicating atime point where reproduction was stopped. The recording/reproductiondevice comprises a second recording device of recording the same data asthe data recorded in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device basedon the recording information transmitted from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, and a reproduction starting sectionoperable to start reproduction from the position where reproduction wasstopped in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device based on thereproduction information from the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice.

Thereby, the same data is recorded in the recording/reproduction deviceand the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device. In addition, whenreproduction is stopped in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device,reproduction information indicating information when reproduction wasstopped is transmitted to the recording/reproduction device, so thatdata recorded in the recording device can be reproduced from a positionwhere reproduction was stopped. Therefore, for example, when therecording/reproduction device is installed at home, the rest of datawhich was watched in a vehicle can be watched at home.

Preferably, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may furthercomprise an unrecorded data transmitting section operable to recognize arecording start position in the recording/reproduction device, andtransmit to the recording/reproduction device data which has not beenreproduced in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device and has notbeen recorded in the recording/reproduction device.

Thereby, data which was not recorded in the recording/reproductiondevice due to a communication time lag can be stored in therecording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may furthercomprise a data transmitting section operable to, after the recordinginformation is transmitted, transmit to the recording/reproductiondevice data which is recorded for a predetermined time from start ofrecording. The recording/reproduction device may further comprise a datareceiving/recording section operable to record the data transmitted fromthe data transmitting section so that the data is continuously linked tothe data which has already been recorded in the recording/reproductiondevice.

Thereby, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a portion of datais not stored due to a communication time lag.

A second aspect of the present invention is directed to an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device which is installed in a vehicle andrecords and reproduces data based on an input signal, comprising arecording device into which the data can be recorded and from which therecorded data can be read out, a reproducing section operable to readand reproduce the data recorded in the recording device, a recordinginformation transmitting section operable to, when starting recordingthe data in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, transmit to anexternal recording/reproduction device recording information about thedata which the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device startedrecording, and a reproduction information transmitting section operableto transmit to the recording/reproduction device reproductioninformation indicating a position where reproduction was stopped.

Thereby, it is possible to record the same data as that recorded in thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device into an externalrecording/reproduction device, so that the rest of data which waswatched using the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device can bewatched using the external recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the reproduction information transmitting section maytransmit the reproduction information before the vehicle is powered OFF.

Thereby, it is possible to transmit final reproduction information in avehicle to an external recording/reproduction device with certainty.

Preferably, the reproduction information transmitting section maytransmit the reproduction information every time reproduction isstopped.

Thereby, it is possible to transmit up-to-date reproduction informationto an external recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may furthercomprise an unrecorded data transmitting section operable to recognize arecording start position in the recording/reproduction device, andtransmit to the recording/reproduction device data which has not beenreproduced in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device and has notbeen recorded in the recording/reproduction device.

Thereby, it is possible to store data which was not recorded in anexternal recording/reproduction device due to a communication time laginto the external recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may furthercomprise a specialized button for activating at least one of therecording information transmitting section, the reproduction informationtransmitting section, and the unrecorded data transmitting section.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to more easily transmit recordinginformation and reproduction information and data which has not beenrecorded in an external recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, a specialized menu for activating at least one of therecording information transmitting section, the reproduction informationtransmitting section, and the unrecorded data transmitting section, maybe displayed on an operation screen for operating the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to more easily transmit recordinginformation and reproduction information and data which has not beenrecorded in an external recording/reproduction device.

A third aspect of the present invention is directed to arecording/reproduction device which can communicate with an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device installed in a vehicle and records andreproduces data based on an input signal, a recording section operableto receive recording information about the data transmitted from thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device, and record the data based onthe recording information, and a reproduction starting section operableto receive reproduction information indicating a position wherereproduction was stopped, the reproduction information being transmittedfrom the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, and startreproduction based on the reproduction information.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to watch the rest of data which waswatched using the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, using therecording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the reproduction starting section may start reproductionfrom a position located a predetermined time before the reproductionposition included in the reproduction information.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to confirm the contents which werewatched before watching the rest of data which was watched using thein-vehicle recording device.

Preferably, the recording/reproduction device may further comprise aspecialized button for activating the reproduction starting section.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to easily watch the rest of datawhich was watched using the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device,using the recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, a specialized menu for activating the reproduction startingsection may be displayed on an operation screen for operating therecording/reproduction device.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to easily watch the rest of datawhich was watched using the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device,using the recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the recording/reproduction device may further comprise adeleting section operable to delete data before the position indicatedby the reproduction information.

Thereby, data which has already been watched using the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device is deleted, so that a recording area canbe efficiently utilized.

Preferably, the recording/reproduction device may further comprise adata receiving/recording operable to receive and record data before arecording start position of the recording/reproduction device from thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device so that the data iscontinuously linked to the data which has already been recorded in therecording/reproduction device.

Thereby, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a portion of datais not stored due to a communication time lag.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to, in a systemcomprising an in-vehicle recording/reproduction device and arecording/reproduction device which receive the same signal and cancommunicate with each other, a recording/reproduction method forreproducing in the recording/reproduction device the rest of data whichwas reproduced in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, themethod comprising the steps of causing the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device to, when the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device starts recording the data, transmit to therecording/reproduction device recording information for causing therecording/reproduction device to record the same data, causing therecording/reproduction device to start recording the same data as thedata recorded in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device inaccordance with the recording information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, causing the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device to transmit to the recording/reproductiondevice reproduction information indicating a position where reproductionwas stopped in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, and causingthe recording/reproduction device to perform reproduction in accordancewith the reproduction information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to a systemcomprising an in-vehicle recording/reproduction device and arecording/reproduction device which receive the same signal and cancommunicate with each other. The recording/reproduction device comprisesa recording start command transmitting section operable to, whenreproduction is stopped, periodically transmit a command to startrecording to the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, and areproduction stop data recording section operable to start recordingdata for which reproduction was stopped, from a time point wherereproduction was stopped. The in-vehicle recording/reproduction devicecomprises an ACK recording information returning section operable to,when receiving the recording start command, start recording designateddata and transmit ACK recording information indicating the reception anda time point where recording of the data was started back to therecording/reproduction device. The recording/reproduction device furthercomprises an unrecorded data transmitting section operable to, whenreceiving the ACK recording information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, transmit data until the time point whererecording of the data was started, the time point being designated inthe ACK recording information, to the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice. The in-vehicle recording/reproduction device further comprises areproduction starting section operable to reproduce the data from thetime point where the recording/reproduction device started recording.

Thereby, data is recorded in the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice from a time point where reproduction was stopped in therecording/reproduction device. Therefore, it is possible for the user towatch the rest of data which was watched using therecording/reproduction device, using the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may furthercomprise a data transmission request section operable to transmit to therecording/reproduction device a request for transmission of data rangingfrom a time point where the recording/reproduction device startedrecording to a time point where the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice started recording.

Thereby, data ranging from a position where reproduction was stopped inthe recording/reproduction device until reproduction was started in thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device is transferred. Therefore, theuser can watch the rest of data which was watched using therecording/reproduction device, in a vehicle without missing.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is directed to arecording/reproduction device which can communicate with an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device installed in a vehicle and records andreproduces data based on an input signal. The recording/reproductiondevice comprises a recording start command transmitting section operableto, when reproduction is stopped, periodically transmit a command tostart recording to the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, and areproduction stop data recording section operable to start recordingdata for which reproduction was stopped, from a time point wherereproduction was stopped. The in-vehicle recording/reproduction devicecomprises an ACK recording information returning section operable to,when receiving the recording start command, start recording designateddata and transmit ACK recording information indicating the reception anda time point where recording of the data was started back to therecording/reproduction device. The recording/reproduction device furthercomprises an unrecorded data transmitting section operable to, whenreceiving the ACK recording information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, transmit data until the time point whererecording of the data was started, the time point being designated inthe ACK recording information, to the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice. The in-vehicle recording/reproduction device further comprises areproduction starting section operable to reproduce the data from thetime point where the recording/reproduction device started recording.

Thereby, it is possible to watch the rest of data which was watchedusing the recording/reproduction device, using the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device.

Preferably, a specialized bottom for activating at least one of therecording start command transmitting section, the reproduction stop datarecording section, and the unrecorded data transmitting section may befurther included.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to more easily transmit a recordingstart command, record data after reproduction is stopped, and transmitdata which has not been recorded in an external device.

Preferably, at least one of the recording start command transmittingsection, the reproduction stop data recording section, and theunrecorded data transmitting section may be automatically activated bythe recording/reproduction device stopping reproduction.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to more easily transmit a recordingstart command, record data after reproduction is stopped, and transmitdata which has not been recorded in an external device.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is directed to an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device which is installed in a vehicle andrecords and reproduces data based on an input signal. The in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device comprises an ACK recording informationreturning section operable to, when receiving a recording start commandfrom an external recording/reproduction device, start recordingdesignated data and transmit ACK recording information indicating thereception and a time point where recording of the data was started backto the recording/reproduction device, a data receiving/recording sectionoperable to receive and record data ranging from when therecording/reproduction device started recording until when thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device started recording, the databeing transmitted from the recording/reproduction device, and areproduction starting section operable to reproduce the data receivedand recorded by the data receiving/recording section, from a headthereof.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to watch the rest of data which waswatched in an external recording/reproduction device, in a vehicle.

Preferably, a data transmission request section operable to transmit arequest for transmission of data to be received by the datareceiving/recording section, to the recording/reproduction device, maybe further included.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to watch the rest of data which waswatched in an external recording/reproduction device, in a vehicle.

Preferably, a specialized button for activating the reproductionstarting section may be further included.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to easily watch the rest of datawhich was watched in an external recording/reproduction device, in avehicle.

Preferably, a specialized menu for activating the reproduction startingsection may be displayed on an operation screen for operating thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to easily watch the rest of datawhich was watched in an external recording/reproduction device, in avehicle.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is directed to arecording/reproduction system comprising an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device and a recording/reproduction device whichreceive the same signal and can communicate with each other. Thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device is provided in a vehicle. Therecording/reproduction device is provided outside the vehicle. Thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device comprises a first recordingdevice into which data can be recorded and from which the recorded datacan be read out, a first reproducing section and a second reproducingsection operable to independently read and reproduce the data recordedin the first recording device, a recording information transmittingsection operable to, when starting recording the data in the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, transmit to the recording/reproductiondevice recording information about the data which the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device started recording, and a reproductioninformation transmitting section operable to transmit to therecording/reproduction device first and second reproduction informationindicating time points where reproduction was stopped in the first andsecond reproducing sections. The recording/reproduction device comprisesa second recording device of recording the same data as the datarecorded in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device based on thefirst and second recording information transmitted from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, and a reproduction starting sectionoperable to start reproduction from the position where reproduction wasstopped in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device based on thereproduction information from the first and second reproducing sectionsin the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device.

Thereby, it is possible to watch the rests of data which was watchedusing the first and second reproducing sections, using therecording/reproduction device. Therefore, even when a program waswatched on different displays in a vehicle, the respective rests of theprogram can be watched using an external recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the first recording device may record a program which is tobe reproduced in the first and second reproducing sections. The firstand second reproducing sections may independently reproduce the programrecorded in the first recording device. The recording informationtransmitting section may transmit information about the program recordedin the first recording device as recording information. The secondrecording device may record a program based on the recording informationtransmitted from the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device. Thereproduction starting section may start reproducing the program based onthe first or second reproduction information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, from a position where reproduction wasstopped in the first or second reproducing sections of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device.

Thereby, when the same program was reproduced in the first and secondreproducing sections, any of the rests of the program which was watchedusing the first and second reproducing sections can be watched using therecording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the first recording device may record two different programswhich are to be reproduced in the first and second reproducing sections.The first and second reproducing sections may independently reproducethe two programs recorded in the first recording device, respectively.The recording information transmitting section may transmit informationabout the two programs recorded in the first recording device asrecording information. The second recording device may record the twoprograms based on the recording information transmitted from thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device. The reproduction startingsection may start reproducing the program which was reproduced in thefirst or second reproducing section from a position where reproductionwas stopped in the first or second reproducing section of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device based on the first or second reproductioninformation from the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device.

Thereby, when different programs are reproduced in the first and secondreproducing sections, the rest of either the programs which were watchedusing the first and second reproducing sections can be watched using therecording/reproduction device.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is directed to an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device which is installed in a vehicle andrecords and reproduces data based on an input signal. The in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device comprises a first recording device intowhich data can be recorded and from which the recorded data can be readout, a first reproducing section and a second reproducing sectionoperable to independently read and reproduce the data recorded in thefirst recording device, a recording information transmitting sectionoperable to, when starting recording the data in the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, transmit to an externalrecording/reproduction device recording information about the data whichthe in-vehicle recording/reproduction device started recording, and areproduction information transmitting section operable to transmit tothe recording/reproduction device first and second reproductioninformation indicating time points where reproduction was stopped in thefirst and second reproducing sections.

Thereby, the rest of either the programs which were watched using thefirst and second reproducing sections can be watched using therecording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the first recording device may record a program which is tobe reproduced in the first and second reproducing sections. The firstand second reproducing sections may independently reproduce the programrecorded in the first recording device. The recording informationtransmitting section may transmit information about the program recordedin the first recording device as recording information.

Thereby, when the same program was reproduced in the first and secondreproducing sections, the rest of either the program which was watchedusing the first and second reproducing sections can be watched using therecording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the first recording device may record two different programswhich are to be reproduced in the first and second reproducing sections.The first and second reproducing sections may independently reproducethe two programs recorded in the first recording device, respectively.The recording information transmitting section may transmit informationabout the two programs recorded in the first recording device asrecording information.

Thereby, when different programs are reproduced in the first and secondreproducing sections, the rest of either the programs which were watchedusing the first and second reproducing sections can be watched using therecording/reproduction device.

Preferably, a specialized button for activating at least one of therecording information transmitting section and the reproductioninformation transmitting section may be further included.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to more easily transmit recordinginformation and reproduction information.

Preferably, a specialized menu for activating at least one of therecording information transmitting section and the reproductioninformation transmitting section may be displayed on an operation screenfor operating the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to more easily transmit recordinginformation and reproduction information.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is directed to arecording/reproduction device which can communicate with an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device installed in a vehicle and records andreproduces data based on an input signal. The recording/reproductiondevice comprises a recording device of recording the same data as datarecorded in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device based onrecording information transmitted from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, and a reproduction starting sectionoperable to start reproduction from a position where reproduction wasstopped in a first reproducing section and a second reproducing sectionof the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device based on first andsecond reproduction information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device.

Thereby, even when a program was watched on different displays in thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device, the respective rests of theprogram can be watched, using the recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the recording device may record a program designated in therecording information. The reproduction starting section may startreproducing the program from a position where reproduction was stoppedin the first and second reproducing sections of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device based on the first or second reproductioninformation from the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device.

Thereby, even when the same program was watched on different displaysusing the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, the respective restsof the program can be watched using the recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the recording device may record two different programsdesignated in the recording information. The reproduction startingsection may start reproducing a program which was reproduced in thefirst or second reproducing section from a position where reproductionwas stopped in the first or second reproducing section of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, based on the first or second reproductioninformation from the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device.

Thereby, even when different programs were watched on different displaysusing the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, the respective restsof the programs can be watched using the recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, a specialized button for activating the reproductionstarting section may be further included.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to more easily watch the rest of aprogram which was watched using the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice, using the recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, a specialized menu for activating the reproduction startingsection may be displayed on an operation screen for operating therecording/reproduction device.

Thereby, it is possible for the user to more easily watch the rest of aprogram which was watched using the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice, using the recording/reproduction device.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is directed to, in a systemcomprising an in-vehicle recording/reproduction device and arecording/reproduction device which receive the same signal and cancommunicate with each other, a method for reproducing the rest of datawhich was reproduced in the recording/reproduction device, in thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device. The method comprises the stepsof, when the recording/reproduction device stops reproduction, causingthe recording/reproduction device to periodically transmit a command tostart recording to the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, causingthe recording/reproduction device to start recording data for whichreproduction was stopped, from a time point where therecording/reproduction device stopped reproduction, causing thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device to, when receiving therecording start command, start recording designated data andtransmitting ACK recording information indicating the reception and atime point where recording of the data was started back to therecording/reproduction device, causing the recording/reproduction deviceto, when receiving the ACK recording information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, transmit data until the time point whererecording of the data was started, the time point being designated inthe ACK recording information, to the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice, and causing the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device toreceive data transmitted from the recording/reproduction device andreproduced the received data from a head thereof.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is directed to, in arecording/reproduction system comprising an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device and a recording/reproduction device whichreceive the same signal and can communicate with each other, a methodfor reproducing the rest of data which was reproduced in the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, in the recording/reproduction device. Thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device can reproduce recorded data infirst and second reproducing sections independently. The methodcomprises the steps of causing the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice to, when starting recording a program in the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, transmit recording information about datafor which recording was started in the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice, to the recording/reproduction device, causing the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device to transmit first and second reproductioninformation indicating time points where reproduction of the first andsecond reproducing sections was stopped, to the recording/reproductiondevice, causing the recording/reproduction device to record the samedata as the recorded in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction devicebased on recording information transmitted from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, and causing the recording/reproductiondevice to start reproduction from a position where reproduction wasstopped in the first or second reproducing section of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device based on the first or second reproductioninformation from the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may record aprogram which is to be reproduced in the first and second reproducingsections. In the step of transmitting the recording information, thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device may transmit information aboutthe program as recording information. In the step of causing therecording/reproduction device to perform recording, therecording/reproduction device may record a program based on therecording information transmitted from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device. In the step of starting reproduction, therecording/reproduction device may start reproducing a program from aposition where reproduction was stopped in the first or secondreproducing section of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction devicebased on the first or second reproduction information from thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device.

Preferably, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may record twodifferent programs which are to be reproduced in the first and secondreproducing sections. In the step of transmitting the recordinginformation, information about the two programs may be transmitted asthe recording information. In the step of causing therecording/reproduction device to perform recording, the two programs maybe recorded based on the recording information transmitted from thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device. In the step of startingreproduction, the recording/reproduction device may start reproducing aprogram which was reproduced in the first or second reproducing sectionfrom a position where reproduction was stopped in the first or secondreproducing section of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device,based on the first or second reproduction information from thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device.

Thus, according to the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, therecording/reproduction device, the recording/reproduction system, andthe recording/reproduction method of the present invention, the rest ofdata which was watched in an in-vehicle device can be watched in anexternal device without missing a scene. Alternatively, the rest of datawhich was watched in the external device can be watched in thein-vehicle device without missing a scene.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is directed to anin-vehicle recording/reproduction device which records and reproducesdata based on an input signal. The in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice comprises a recording device which uses a recording mediumallowing random access and writes data onto the recording medium whilereading the written data from the recording medium, a reproducingsection of reproducing data read out by the recording device, and acontrol section of controlling data reproduction. The control sectioncomprises a watching permission determining section operable todetermine whether or not the user is permitted to watch in a vehicle,based on information about a traveling state of the vehicle, theinformation being externally supplied, a temporarily stopping sectionoperable to temporarily stop reading of data by recording device whenthe watching permission determining section determines that watching isnot permitted, and a reproduction starting section operable to cause therecording device to read data and cause the reproducing section toreproduce the data, from a position where reproduction was temporarilystopped, when the watching permission determining section determinesthat watching is permitted.

Thereby, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device automaticallydetermines whether or not watching is permitted in a vehicle, based onthe externally supplied information about the traveling state of thevehicle. When it is determined that watching is not permitted, thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device temporarily stops reproduction.On the other hand, when it is determined that watching is permitted, thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device starts reproduction from apoint where reproduction was temporarily stopped. Therefore, even in asituation in which watching is not always and continuously permitted,such as driving a vehicle, the user can watch the contents of dataintermittently but without missing. For example, when the input signalis a television signal, the user can watch scenes of a televisionprogram intermittently without missing a scene.

Preferably, the control section may extract a specific scene from datato be written into the recording device and cause the reproducingsection to reproduce the specific scene with priority.

Thereby, the specific scene is reproduced with priority, so that theuser can enjoy watching data while reducing a time required forreproduction.

For example, the control section may determine the specific scene basedon a video signal and/or an audio signal contained in the input signal.

Thereby, it is possible to reproduce only an exciting scene or performreproduction without commercials, so that the user can enjoy watchingdata while reducing a time required for reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a structure of anin-vehicle recording/reproduction device 101 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control section 106when the user issues a command to perform reproduction.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a reproduction operation of thecontrol section 106 when receiving a reproduction command from the user.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a reproduction control operation ofthe control section 106 when a control signal is received during arecording operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control section106 when only a specific scene is extracted and reproduced.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a recording/reproductionsystem according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations of an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 and a home recording/reproductiondevice 303.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a recorded state of thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 and a recorded state of thein-home recording/reproduction device 303.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 which starts reproduction withreference to reproduction information.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device and a home recording/reproduction deviceaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a recorded state of anin-vehicle recording/reproduction device and a recorded state of a homerecording/reproduction device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a recording/reproduction systemaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a homerecording/reproduction device 303 in which reproduction is started withreference to reproduction information.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a structure of arecording/reproduction system according to a fifth embodiment-of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a recorded state of anin-vehicle recording/reproduction device 141 and a recorded state of ahome recording/reproduction device 403.

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating recorded states of anin-vehicle recording/reproduction device and a homerecording/reproduction device when programs watched by the driver(reproduced in a reproducing section) are changed.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, in-vehicle recording/reproduction devices,recording/reproduction devices, and recording/reproduction systemsaccording to embodiments of the present invention will be described withthe accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a structure of anin-vehicle recording/reproduction device 101 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, arecording/reproduction device is provided with which a televisionprogram can be watched without missing a scene when the televisionprogram is watched in a vehicle.

In FIG. 1, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 101 comprises acompressing section 102, a recording device 103, a decompressing section104, a reproducing section 105, and a control section 106.

The compressing section 102 compresses an input signal to generate asignal having a reduced data amount, and inputs the signal to therecording device 103. In the first embodiment, the input signal isassumed to be a television broadcast signal (hereinafter referred to asa television signal). The television signal is assumed to include avideo signal and an audio signal.

The recording device 103 stores compressed data generated by thecompressing section 102. The recording device 103is, for example, a harddisk drive or the like, which can simultaneously perform a writeoperation and a read operation. When a recording medium, such as a harddisk, which allows random access is used, it is possible to provide arecording device which can perform reproduction while recording byswitching a write process and a read process quickly. Such a recordingdevice has already been commercialized and will not be furtherexplained.

The decompressing section 104 reads out compressed data from therecording device 103 and decompresses the read compressed data togenerate a television signal.

The reproducing section 105 reproduces and displays the televisionsignal generated by the decompressing section 104. For example, thereproducing section 105 displays a video signal on a liquid crystaldisplay and outputs an audio signal through a loudspeaker after theaudio signal is amplified using an amplifier.

The control section 106 receives, as control signals, a command signalgenerated by the user's command operation, a signal from a vehicle-speedsensor (not shown) installed in a vehicle, a signal indicatingpositional information from a GPS (Global Positioning System) receivingdevice (not shown), a signal indicating traffic information from a VICS(Vehicle Information and Communication System) receiving device (notshown), and the like. Based on the received control signal, the controlsection 106 controls the compressing section 102, the recording device103, and the decompressing section 104 so that a television signal isrecorded and/or reproduced.

Firstly, a description will be given of a series of operations until atelevision signal input to the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device101 is reproduced. The television signal is received by a televisionantenna (not shown) installed on a vehicle, is converted into a digitalsignal by an A/D converter (not shown), and is input to the compressingsection 102.

The compressing section 102 receives the television signal which hasbeen converted into the digital signal, and converts the digital signalinto compressed data using a compression technique, such as MPEG-2(Moving Picture Experts Group phase-2) or the like. Hereinafter, thecompressed data is referred to as compressed television data.

The compressed television data output from the compressing section 102is written onto a recording medium (not shown) in the recording device103. It is here assumed that, as the recording medium, a hard disk isused, which can store a large amount of data and allows random access.The recording device 103 can record the compressed television data evenduring driving. The recording device 103 records the compressedtelevision data until a preset time (timer recording) or until a commandto stop recording is input from the control section 106. Under otherconditions, the recording device 103 continues to perform recording aslong as there is free space on the recording medium.

When receiving a command to perform reproduction from the controlsection 106, the decompressing section 104 reads out compressedtelevision data from the recording device 103 and decompresses the data.The thus-decompressed compressed television data is a digital signal.

Since the recording device 103 is assumed to be a hard disk which allowsrandom access, the user can select a favorite program from a pluralityof programs and cause his or her desired program or scene to bereproduced from some midpoint in a certain program.

The digital signal output from the decompressing section 104 isconverted into an analog signal by a D/A converter (not shown) Thereby,a television signal is reproduced. Hereinafter, the phase “thedecompressing section 104 generates a television signal” means that ananalog television signal is generated after conversion by the D/Aconverter. The reproducing section 105 reproduces the generatedtelevision signal to output a video or an audio.

During the time when the vehicle is traveling, for example, the controlsection 106 causes the reproducing section 105 to display a carnavigation guide (a control system for car navigation is not shown).When the user is permitted to watch a television and there is a requestfor reproduction from the driver, the control section 106 causes thedecompressing section 104 to decompress compressed television data andcauses the reproducing section 105 to display a video.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control section106 when the user issues a command to perform reproduction. Hereinafter,the operation of the control section 106 when the user issues a commandto perform reproduction will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

Initially, the control section 106 receives a request for reproduction(step S101). Next, the control section 106 initializes a reproductionstart position (step S102). As used herein, the reproduction startposition indicates a starting position of compressed television datawhen reproduction is performed. In other words, the reproduction startposition indicates a tail-end position of compressed television datawhich has already been reproduced. By initialization in step S102, thereproduction start position is set to be a head position of compressedtelevision data. The control section 106 stores the reproduction startposition into a memory (not shown).

Next, the control section 106 commands the recording device 103 torecord compressed television data of a program desired by the user,i.e., to start recording the program (step S103). Next, the controlsection 106 receives a signal from a vehicle-speed sensor (not shown)and determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling (step S104).

When the vehicle is not traveling, the control section 106 determineswhether or not reproduction is being performed (step S107). Whenreproduction is being performed, the control section 106 goes to anoperation of step S113. On the other hand, when reproduction is notbeing performed, the control section 106 confirms a current reproductionstart position (step S108), commands the decompressing section 104 toread out and decompress compressed television data recorded in therecording device 103 from the reproduction start position, and causesthe reproducing section 105 to reproduce the decompressed televisionsignal (step S109), and goes to the operation of step S113.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 that the vehicleis traveling, the control section 106 receives a signal from thevehicle-speed sensor (not shown) and determines whether or not thevehicle is traveling at a slow speed (step S105). When the vehicle istraveling at a slow speed, the control section 106 receives informationfrom a GPS receiving device (not shown) and/or a VICS receiving device(not shown) and determines whether or not a current location is a safeplace (step S106). When it is determined that the current location is asafe place, the control section 106 goes to an operation of step S107.On the other hand, when it is determined that the current location isnot safe, the control section 106 goes to an operation of step S110.

When determining whether or not the current location is a safe place,for example, the control section 106 may utilize map information of acar navigation system (not shown) and vehicle positional informationfrom a GPS device (not shown) to determine that, for example, a mountainroad having a number of curves is a dangerous place. Alternatively, thecontrol section 106 may obtain traffic congestion information based oninformation from a VICS receiving device (not shown) and determine thatthe current location is a safe place because traffic congestion causesalternation of traveling at a slow speed and stopping.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the operation of step S105that the vehicle is not traveling at a slow speed, the control section106 goes to the operation of step S110.

In the operation of step S110, the control section 106 determineswhether or not reproduction is being performed. When reproduction isbeing performed, the control section 106 temporarily stops reproduction(step S111) and stores a position at which reproduction is temporarilystopped as a new reproduction start position to update the reproductionstart position stored in the memory (not shown) (step S112), and goes toan operation of step S113. After temporarily stopping reproduction, thecontrol section 106 controls an audio device (not shown) to display aroad guidance by car navigation, reproduce music, or reproduce onlytelevision audio.

On the other hand, it is determined in the operation of step S110 thatreproduction is not being performed, the control section 106 goes to theoperation of step S113.

In the operation of step S113, the control section 106 determineswhether or not reproduction is ended. The determination may be based ona command from the user, on whether or not recording of a desiredprogram has been ended, or on whether or not a predetermined recordingtime has been elapsed.

When reproduction is not ended, the control section 106 returns to theoperation of step S104. On the other hand, when reproduction is ended,the control section 106 ends the process.

As described above, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device of thefirst embodiment of the present invention detects a traveling situationof a vehicle while recording a desired program to determine whether ornot a current situation is as safe as the driver can keep obligation ofsafe driving. When it is not a safe situation, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device temporarily stops reproducing a programand stores a position at which reproduction is temporarily stopped as areproduction start position. When it is a safe situation, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device reproduces a desired program based on thestored reproduction start position without missing a scene. Therefore,it is possible to watch a desired program in a vehicle without missing ascene even during driving.

Note that the operation of the control section 106 is not limited to theoperation of the flowchart of FIG. 2. Hereinafter, another operation ofthe control section 106 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and4.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a reproduction operation of thecontrol section 106 when receiving a reproduction command from the user.Initially, the control section 106 receives a reproduction request (stepS121) and initializes a reproduction start position (step S122). Next,the control section 106 commands the recording device 103 to recordcompressed television data of a program desired by the user, i.e.,causes the recording device 103 to start recording the program (stepS123). Next, the control section 106 commands the decompressing section104 to decompress the compressed television data recorded by therecording device 103, causes the reproducing section 105 to reproducethe data (step S124), and ends the process. Thereby, recording andreproduction of the desired program are started.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a reproduction control operation ofthe control section 106 when a control signal is received during arecording operation. Initially, the control section 106 receives acontrol signal (step S131). Next, the control section 106 recognizes thecontents of the received control signal to determine whether or not acurrent situation is as safe as watching can be permitted (step S132).Specifically, as illustrated in steps S104 to S106 of FIG. 2, based on acontrol signal from a vehicle-speed sensor (not shown), a GPS receivingdevice (not shown), a VICS receiving device (not shown) or the like, itis determined whether or not the contents of the control signal indicatepermission of reproduction. Alternatively, the control section 106 mayrecognize whether the vehicle was stopped or started being driven todetermine permission of watching, based on a control signal indicatingstopping and a control signal indicating start of driving from avehicle-speed sensor (not shown).

When it is determined that watching is not permitted, the controlsection 106 commands the decompressing section 104 to temporarily stopdecompression, i.e., temporarily stop reproduction (step S133), andupdates the reproduction start position (step S134), and ends theprocess.

On the other hand, when it is determined that watching is permitted, thecontrol section 106 confirms the reproduction start position (stepS135), causes the decompressing section 104 to perform decompressionfrom the reproduction start position, and starts reproduction (stepS136), and ends the process.

When the control section 106 operates each process as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 101 canreproduce a desired program without missing a scene every time a safesituation is encountered, such as, for example, the vehicle is stopped.

Although the input signal is assumed to be a television signal in thefirst embodiment, the present invention is not limited-to this. Forexample, a similar system may be constructed, except that datacontaining a video signal, such as, for example, a video captured by anin-vehicle camera, is received as an input signal.

When a DVD-Video, a television program which has already been recorded,or the like is reproduced, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction devicemay reproduce the DVD-Video, the television program which has alreadybeen recorded, or the like without missing a scene when a safe situationis encountered. In this case, a recording operation is not required, andtherefore, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may control onlyreproduction. Specifically, in the control section 106, it is determinedwhether or not a current situation permits reproduction. Whenreproduction is not permitted, a control process is performed, such as,for example, temporarily stopping reproduction. Alternatively, a similarsystem may be constructed and applied to streaming (distribution ofcontents) on the Internet or the like.

In the first embodiment, a television signal includes a video signal andan audio signal. The present invention is not limited to this. Forexample, even when a television signal includes a character broadcastsignal or the like, a similar system can be implemented.

In the first embodiment, the recording device 103 is assumed to be ahard disk drive. The present invention is not limited to this. Forexample, when the recording device 103 is a recording medium whichallows random access, such as a semiconductor memory, a DVD-RAM, or thelike, a similar system can be implemented.

In the first embodiment, an input signal is compressed and stored in arecording medium, and is decompressed and reproduced. The presentinvention is not limited to this. When a recording medium has asufficient capacity, a similar system may be constructed without thecompressing section and the decompressing section.

In the first embodiment, watching is permitted when a current situationis not dangerous during traveling at a slow speed. Determination ofwhether or not the current situation is dangerous is not limited to thatdescribed in the first embodiment. Watching may be permitted in anysituation in which the driver can keep safe driving.

In the first embodiment, a program is reproduced without missing ascene. Alternatively, in order to utilize time efficiently, for example,only particular exciting scenes, such as, for example, scoring scenes ina broadcast baseball game, may be extracted and reproduced withpriority. Specifically, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device maydetect an output level of an audio signal and, for example, based on alevel of cheer, determine whether or not a scene is an exciting scene.When the cheer level is higher than or equal to a predetermined level,it may be determined that the scene is a specific scene. In this case,only a video of such a scene may be extracted and reproduced.Alternatively, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may detectinformation contained in a video signal to determine whether or not ascene is a specific scene which a program producer wants the audience towatch, and extract and reproduce only the specific scene. Alternatively,the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may detect informationcontained in a video signal to determine whether or nota scene is acommercial scene, and assuming that scenes other than commercials arespecific scenes, extract and reproduce only the specific scenes.Thereby, it is possible to utilize time efficiently.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the control section106 when only a specific scene is extracted and reproduced. Hereinafter,the operation of the control section 106 in which only a specific sceneis extracted and reproduced will be described with reference to FIG. 5.The operation of FIG. 5 is performed in parallel to the process of stepS109 of FIG. 2 or step S124 of FIG. 3.

Initially, the control section 106 determines whether or not chasingreproduction is being performed with respect to a program which is beingrecorded into the recording device 103 (step S141). When chasingreproduction is not being performed, the control section 106 returns tothe operation of step S141. On the other hand, when chasing reproductionis being performed, the control section 106 determines whether or not aspecific scene is being reproduced (step S142).

When the specific scene is being reproduced, the process returns to theoperation of step S141. On the other hand, when the specific scene isnot being reproduced, the control section 106 recognizes the next comingspecific scene (step S143). Specifically, the control section 106recognizes the next coming specific scene by, for example, readinginformation contained in a video signal in advance or reading only anaudio level in advance. Next, the control section 106 commands thedecompressing section 104 to skip scenes of the currently reproducedprogram until the next coming specific scene thus recognized (stepS144), and returns to the operation of step S141.

The specific scene may be recognized by a recognition method based on anaudio output level or a recognition method based on informationcontained in a video signal as described above. Alternatively, anymethod which can recognize the specific scene may be used.

Note that the user may store a recorded program into a removable mediumor the like, bring the medium out of a vehicle, and reproduce theprogram. Alternatively, if the in-vehicle recording/reproduction deviceand an in-home recording/reproduction device can communicate with eachother, the user can download a recorded program from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device to the in-home recording/reproductiondevice to reproduce the desired program.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment, a recording/reproduction system will bedescribed in which, when the user drives a vehicle back home, the restof a television program which was watched in the vehicle can be watchedat home without missing a scene.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a recording/reproductionsystem according to a second embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 6, the recording/reproduction system comprises an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121, an in-vehicle communication section301, an in-home communication section 302, and an in-homerecording/reproduction device 303. The in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice 121 comprises a control section 126, a compressing section (notshown), a recording device (not shown), a decompressing section (notshown), and a reproducing section (not shown). Note that the controlsection 126 corresponds to the control section 106 of the firstembodiment. The portions other than the control section 126 havefunctions similar to those of the first embodiment and are notillustrated in FIG. 6.

The in-vehicle communication section 301 communicates with the controlsection 126 and, in addition, with an external communication device viathe Internet (not shown) or the like. The in-home communication section302 communicates with an external communication device via the Internet(not shown) or the like. It is herein assumed that the in-vehiclecommunication section 301 and the in-home communication section 302communicate with each other.

The in-home recording/reproduction device 303 and the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 receive a television signal as aninput signal.

The in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 records and/orreproduces the input television signal.

The control section 126 commands the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303 to record the television signal, as required. Hereinafter,information transmitted along with the command is referred to asrecording information. The recording information includes, for example,information indicating what program is to be recorded and what times arethe start and stop times of a recording session thereof. The controlsection 126 transmits reproduction information to the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303, as required. The reproductioninformation herein refers to information indicating what program andwhich scene thereof were last reproduced in the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121.

The in-home recording/reproduction device 303 includes a hard disk (notshown) as a recording medium, and records and/or reproduces an inputtelevision signal in accordance with a command from the user and/or thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121. The in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 starts recording when receivingrecording information from the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device121. The in-home recording/reproduction device 303 continues to recordthe program as long as a specific command is not received from thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 or the user. The in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 stores the reproduction informationfrom the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121, and manages whatprogram and which scene thereof the user last stopped watching in avehicle. The in-home recording/reproduction device 303 reproduces therest of the program which the user watched in the vehicle, based on thestored reproduction information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 and the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303. Hereinafter, the operations of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 and the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

Firstly, the operation of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device121 will be described. The control section 126 of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 receives a command (recording startcommand) from the user who wants to watch the rest of the program whichthe user watched in the vehicle, on the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303, and causes the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 tostart recording the desired program and start reproducing the program(step S201). For example, the main body or a remote controller may havea button called a “seamless function button”. By the user pushing theseamless function button, the recording start command is transferred tothe control section 126 of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device121. The seamless function button does not only inform the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 of the recording start command, butalso plays a role as a start switch for triggering subsequentoperations.

Next, the control section 126 transmits recording information to thein-home recording/reproduction device 303 to cause the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 to record the same program as thatwhich is being recorded by the recording device 103 (step S202).

Next, the control section 126 determines whether or not reproductionshould be stopped (step S203). The determination may be performed basedon whether or not the vehicle is traveling in a safe place as describedin the first embodiment. When reproduction should be stopped, thecontrol section 126 stops reproduction and updates a reproduction startposition (step S204) and goes to an operation of step S205. Thereproduction start position is similar to that described in the firstembodiment. On the other hand, when reproduction should not be stopped,the control section 126 goes to the operation of step S205.

In step S205, the control section 126 determines whether or notreproduction information should be transmitted. Specifically, thecontrol section 126 may determine to transmit reproduction informationbefore a power source is turned OFF when an engine is stopped ortransmit reproduction information every time reproduction is stopped.

In step S205, when it is determined that reproduction information shouldbe transmitted, the control section 126 transmits the reproductioninformation (step S206) and goes to an operation of step S207. On theother hand, when it is determined that reproduction information shouldnot be transmitted, the control section 126 goes to the operation ofstep S207.

In step S207, the control section 126 determines whether or notrecording should be ended. When recording should not be ended, thecontrol section 126 returns to the operation of step S203. On the otherhand, when recording should be ended, the control section 126 endsrecording (step S208) and ends the process. When ending the process, thecontrol section 126 may transmit final reproduction information to thein-home recording/reproduction device 303.

Next, the operation of the in-home recording/reproduction device 303will be described. Initially, the in-home recording/reproduction device303 receives recording information transmitted from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 (step S301). Next, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 starts recording a program indicatedin the recording information (step S302). Thereby, the same program asthat which is recorded in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device121 is also recorded in the in-home recording/reproduction device 303.

Next, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 determines whetheror not reproduction information has been received (step S303). When thereproduction information has been received, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 updates the reproduction information(step S304) and goes to an operation of step S305. On the other hand,when reproduction information has not been received, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 goes to the operation of step S305.

In the operation of step S305, the in-home recording/reproduction device303 determines whether or not recording should be ended. Specifically,the determination is performed based on whether or not a program isended, whether or not there is a specific command from the user, or thelike. When recording should not be ended, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 returns to the operation of step S303.On the other hand, when recording should be ended, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 ends recording (step S306) and endsthe process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a recorded state of thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 and a recorded state of thein-home recording/reproduction device 303. In FIG. 8, the lengths ofbars indicate respective overall capacities. Note that the lengths ofthe bars differ from each other, representing a relative relationship inmagnitude between the capacities thereof, but not the absolutecapacities thereof. Since the recording medium used herein allows randomaccess, recording is performed from various addresses on the disk.However, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed in FIG. 8 that datais recorded from a left end toward a right end.

Hereinafter, operations of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device121 and the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 will bespecifically described with reference to FIG. 8. It is assumed that thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 starts recording a programat a point a. At this time point, the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice 121 transmits recording information to the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303. The in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303 which has received the recording information starts recordingthe same program at the point a. Actually, there is a time lag until therecording information reaches the in-home recording/reproduction device303, and therefore, recording is not started at the perfectly same timepoint. This problem will be described below.

It is assumed that the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 hasperformed reproduction until a point b. Next, it is assumed that thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 ends recording at a point cbecause the power source is turned OFF due to stop of the engine. Inthis case, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 storesinformation about the point b as reproduction information. Thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 transmits the reproductioninformation about the point b to the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303 immediately before the power source is turned OFF. Data untilthe point c is recorded in both the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice 121 and the in-home recording/reproduction device 303.

The in-home recording/reproduction device 303 continues to record theprogram until a point d at which the program is ended. When the userwants to watch the rest of the program which the user watched in avehicle, the user issues a command to do so to the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303. The in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303 starts reproduction from the point b while recording theprogram to achieve chasing reproduction of the desired program.

Note that the above-described points a to d are not actual addresspointers, and are information indicating to what degree recording hasbeen done from the recording start position. The point cat which thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 ends recording is notlimited to a point when the power source is turned OFF by stopping theengine. Alternatively, recording may be ended by the user arbitrarilyspecifying the point c. Even when recording is ended in the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, the program continues to be recordeduntil the end thereof by the in-home recording/reproduction device 303.Therefore, the user can watch the entire rest of the program. Note thata command to end recording in the in-home recording/reproduction device303 may be provided in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 which starts reproduction withreference to reproduction information. Hereinafter, the operation of thein-home recording/reproduction device 303 which starts reproduction withreference to reproduction information will be described with respect toFIG. 9.

Initially, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 receives acommand from the user who wants to watch the rest of a program which theuser watched in a vehicle (step S311). For example, a remote controllerhas a button called a “seamless reproduction button”. The command istransferred to the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 by the userpushing the button. The seamless reproduction button plays a role as astart button which triggers subsequent operations. Next, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 references stored reproductioninformation (step S312). Next, the in-home recording/reproduction device303 recognizes when reproduction was ended, based on the referencedreproduction information (step S313). The in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303 starts reproduction at the time point when reproduction wasended (step S314), and ends the process.

Thus, the recording/reproduction system of the second embodiment of thepresent invention can record the same program as that which the user haswatched in a vehicle, in the in-home recording/reproduction device 303,and further, can inform the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 ofthe time point when reproduction was last ended in the vehicle.Therefore, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 can reproducethe entire rest of the program which the user watched partway, at homewithout missing a scene.

Although, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the driverwatches a television, a similar system can be utilized when a passengerwatches a television. When a passenger watches a television, thepassenger is permitted to watch irrespective of any driving situation.In this case, the recording device may not be provided, and only thereproduction information transmission process may be performed.

Note that, in step S304, when reproduction information is updated, thein-home recording/reproduction device 303 may delete data which precedesa position indicated by reproduction information which has been receivedbefore new reproduction information (i.e., data which has already beenreproduced in a vehicle). Thereby, a storage area can be usedefficiently.

Note that, in the second embodiment, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 transmits recording information to thein-home recording/reproduction device 303 so that the same program canbe simultaneously recorded by the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice 121 and the in-home recording/reproduction device 303. Inaddition, information about the point b which is a time point when thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 ends reproduction istransmitted as reproduction information to the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303, so that the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 starts reproduction a program from thepoint b based on the reproduction information. However, if the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 can obtain data relating to theprogram ranging from the point b to the point c, the present inventionis not limited to the operation of the above-described embodiment. Forexample, when the point c is encountered, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 may transmit data ranging from thepoint b to the point c to the in-home recording/reproduction device 303,and based on the transmitted data, the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303 may record the program following the point c whilereproducing data from the point b. In this case, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 may reproduce the program recordedafter the point c when reproduction of the data ranging from the point bto the point c is ended.

Note that, in the second embodiment, a time lag occurs when recordinginformation reaches from the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device121 to the in-home recording/reproduction device 303. Therefore, aportion occurs which cannot be recorded by the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303. To solve this problem, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 101 may transmit data ranging from apredetermined time before a recording start position to the recordingstart position to the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 aftertransmitting recording information. In this case, the predetermined timepoint is determined based on a time lag caused by communication. In thiscase, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 receives transmitteddata and records the data so that the data is continuously linked todata which has been recorded therein. Thereby, a program until recordinginformation reaches is recorded in the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303.

The in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 may also recognize arecording start position by communicating with the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303, and transfer only data which has notbeen reproduced in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 andhas not been recorded in the in-home recording/reproduction device 303to the in-home recording/reproduction device 303. Note that a button ora menu screen specialized to transfer the data which has not beenreproduced in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 and hasnot been recorded in the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 tothe in-home recording/reproduction device 303, may be provided.

In the second embodiment, the in-vehicle communication section 301 andthe in-home communication section 302 communicate with each other viathe Internet. The present invention is not limited to this. Any systemvia which the in-vehicle communication section 301 and the in-homecommunication section 302 can communicate with each other may be used.For example, the in-vehicle communication section 301 and the in-homecommunication section 302 may directly communicate with each other via acellular telephone line.

In the second embodiment, a television signal has been described as anexemplary input signal. The present invention is not limited to this.Data containing a video signal may be received as an input signal.

When a DVD-Video is watched in a vehicle instead of a televisionprogram, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 may transmitan address which was last reproduced in the vehicle to the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303. When the user subsequently reproducesthe same DVD-Video, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 mayreproduce a continuation of a scene which the user last watched in thevehicle by referencing the address. In this case, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 needs to transmit information forspecifying a medium of the DVD-Video in addition to the reproductioninformation.

Also in the case of data which does not contain a video signal, such asradio broadcast or the like, it is similarly possible to listen to therest of data which the user listened to in a vehicle.

In the second embodiment, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303starts recording by receiving recording information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121. The present invention is not limitedto this. For example, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 maystart recording when the vehicle reaches close to home. In this case,the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 obtains information abouta distance between the vehicle and home. When the vehicle reaches withina specific distance, recording may be started. The distance informationbetween the vehicle and home can be obtained by operating a carnavigation system in association with a GPS. Alternatively, thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121 may transmit recordinginformation to the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 when thedistance between a vehicle and home becomes smaller than a predeterminedvalue. Alternatively, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 maystart recording in accordance with a command from the user at anytiming.

In the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 121, a recording startcommand is transmitted by the user pushing the seamless function button.The present invention is not limited to this. For example, an option“seamless function” maybe provided in an operation menu. By the userselecting the option on the menu screen, a recording start command maybe transmitted. Alternatively, when the user starts watching atelevision program, recording may be automatically started and arecording start command maybe transmitted. In this case, if theautomatic seamless function can be switched ON/OFF by presetting, it ispossible to address the case where the user ordinarily does not wantrecording.

Note that the relationship in magnitude between the capacity of therecording medium of the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 andthe capacity of the recording medium of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 121 is not limited to that describedabove.

It is assumed above that the seamless reproduction button is pushed whenthe user wants to reproduce a continuation of a scene which the userlast watched in the vehicle, in the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303. The present invention is not limited to this. For example,an option “seamless reproduction” may be provided in an operation menu.By the user selecting the option on the menu screen, the continuationmay be reproduced.

In the second embodiment, the rest of a program which was watched in thevehicle is reproduced in the in-home recording/reproduction device 303.The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 may reproduce the program apredetermined time before a scene which the user last watched. Thereby,the user can recognize the continuity of scenes.

Third Embodiment

In a third embodiment, a description will be given of arecording/reproduction system with which, when the user drives afterwatching a television at home, the user can watch the rest of atelevision program which the user watched without missing a scene. Astructural diagram of the system is similar to that of the secondembodiment and FIG. 6 will be referenced.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device and an in-home recording/reproductiondevice according to the third embodiment of the present invention.Hereinafter, the operations of the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice and the in-home recording/reproduction device will be describedwith reference to FIG. 10.

Firstly, the operation of the recording/reproduction device will bedescribed.

The in-home recording/reproduction device stops reproduction of atelevision program in accordance with, for example, a command from theuser (step S401). In this case, the television program which was beingreproduced may be either a television program which is chase-reproducedor a television program which is broadcast in real time.

Next, the in-home recording/reproduction device receives an executioncommand from the user who wants to watch in a vehicle the rest of aprogram which the user watched (step S402). A function to watch the restof a program which the user watched is referred to as a seamlessreproduction function. For example, a remote controller or the main bodyof the in-home recording/reproduction device is provided with a“seamless function button”. By the user pushing the button, a command toexecute the seamless reproduction function is input to the in-homerecording/reproduction device. The seamless function button plays a roleas a start button which triggers subsequent operations.

Next, the in-home recording/reproduction device starts recording aprogram which is targeted by a command to execute the seamlessreproduction function (step S403). Note that, when the program hasalready been being recorded by timer recording or the like, the in-homerecording/reproduction device continues to record the program.

Next, the in-home recording/reproduction device transmits a command toexecute the seamless reproduction function to the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device (step S404). On the other hand, thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device transmits back an ACK signalindicating reception of the execution command and recording startinformation indicating a time point where recording was started (the ACKsignal and the recording start information are collectively referred toas ACK recording information). This will be described below.

The in-home recording/reproduction device determines whether or not theACK signal and the recording start information have been received fromthe in-vehicle recording/reproduction device (step S405). When the ACKsignal and the recording start information have not been received, thein-home recording/reproduction device returns to the operation of stepS404, and transmits the execution command again. The in-homerecording/reproduction device transmits the execution command againafter a predetermined period of time is elapsed (e.g., one minute). Whenno ACK signal is returned after a predetermined period of time iselapsed (e.g., 10 minutes), the in-home recording/reproduction devicestops transmitting the execution command.

On the other hand, when the ACK signal and the recording informationhave been received, the in-home recording/reproduction devicerecognizes, based on the recording information, data which was recordedfrom when reproduction of a desired program was stopped until whenrecording was started in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device,and transmits the data to the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device(step S406), and ends the process.

Next, an operation of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device willbe described.

Initially, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device is powered ON(step S501). Next, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction devicedetermines whether or not a command to execute the seamless reproductionfunction has been received from the in-home recording/reproductiondevice (step S502). The in-home recording/reproduction device transmitsthe execution command at intervals of one minute, so that the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device can receive the execution command withinone minute.

When the command to execute the seamless reproduction function has notbeen received, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device repeats theoperation of step S502. On the other hand, when the command to executethe seamless reproduction function has been received, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device starts recording a desired program (stepS503), and goes to an operation of step S504.

In the operation of step S504, the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice transmits an ACK signal indicating reception of the executioncommand and recording start information indicating a time point whererecording was started to the in-home recording/reproduction device (stepS504). The recording start information is time information indicating atime point where recording was started. When the time indicated by aclock of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device is not equal tothe time indicated by a clock of the in-home recording/reproductiondevice, an inconsistency occurs. These devices are accuratelysynchronized with each other using a radio clock or the like.

On the other hand, the in-home recording/reproduction device transmitsdata of a scene which could not be recorded by the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device. Therefore, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device receives the data (step S505), and endsthe process.

Thereafter, when the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device reproducesthe rest of the program in response to a command from the user, the datareceived from the in-home recording/reproduction device is firstreproduced before data recorded by the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice is reproduced. Specifically, the flowchart of FIG. 2 or theflowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 are referenced because of the similarity tothe first embodiment. Note that, in step S102 or S122, when areproduction start position is initialized, the start position of thedata received in step S505 is registered as a reproduction startposition. A “seamless reproduction button” is provided on a remotecontroller or the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device. By the userpushing the button, reproduction is started. Thereby, a continuation ofa scene which was watched at home can be watched.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a recorded state of thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device and a recorded state of thein-home recording/reproduction device. FIG. 11 is illustrated in amanner similar to that of FIG. 8.

Hereinafter, operations of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction deviceand the in-home recording/reproduction device will be described withreference to FIG. 11. It is assumed that the in-homerecording/reproduction device starts recording for the purpose of theseamless reproduction function at a point e. Thereafter, the in-homerecording/reproduction device transmits a command to execute theseamless reproduction function. If the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice receives the execution command at a point f, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device starts recording a desired program fromthe point f, and transmits back an ACK signal and recording informationto the in-home recording/reproduction device.

The in-home recording/reproduction device, which has received thereturned signal, transmits data which was recorded until the point f tothe in-vehicle recording/reproduction device. The in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device receives and stores the data into arecording medium thereof. Thereby, data ranging from the point e wherereproduction was stopped at home to the point f is stored in thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device, so that the user can watch theprogram which the user watched at home, without missing a scene.

As described above, in the recording/reproduction system of the thirdembodiment of the present invention, the rest of a television programwhich was watched at home is temporarily recorded in the in-homerecording/reproduction device, and data of scenes which could not bewatched during the time when the user moved from home to the vehicle istransferred to the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device. Thereby,even when the user has to stop watching a television program at home andgo out and drive a vehicle, the user can watch the program in thevehicle without missing a scene.

In the third embodiment, the in-home recording/reproduction devicetransmits data to the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device afterreceiving an ACK signal. The present invention is not limited to this.For example, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may requestdata transmission, and in response to this, the in-homerecording/reproduction device may transmit data which has been recorded.

In the third embodiment, a program to be watched is limited to one thatis currently broadcast. The present invention is not limited to this.For example, when the user wants to watch in a vehicle a program or thelike which has already been recorded, the in-home recording/reproductiondevice may transmit all of the recorded data to the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device or reproduce all data which has not beenreproduced. In the case of a medium, such as a DVD-Video or the like,the in-home recording/reproduction device may transmit an address pointwhere reproduction was stopped to the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice. Based on the address point, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device reproduces the disk at some midpointthereof to allow the user to watch the rest of the contents thereof.

In the third embodiment, the in-home recording/reproduction devicetransmits a command to execute the seamless reproduction function to thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device every one minute. The presentinvention is not limited to this. For example, in consideration of thetime from when reproduction is stopped at home to when an engine isstarted in a vehicle, i.e., a distance between the in-homerecording/reproduction device and a garage, time intervals may be set atwhich the in-home recording/reproduction device transmits the executioncommand. Similarly, the time out is set to be 10 minutes in theabove-described embodiment, or alternatively, may be set to anyappropriate time.

In the third embodiment, by the user pushing the seamless functionbutton, the in-home recording/reproduction device transmits a command toexecute the seamless reproduction function. The present invention is notlimited to this. For example, transmission of the seamless reproductionfunction executing command may be selected from an operation menu.Alternatively, the in-home recording/reproduction device mayautomatically transmit the seamless reproduction function executingcommand. In this case, if the user does not drive a vehicle, the in-homerecording/reproduction device does not wastedly record a program, sincethe seamless reproduction function is stopped due to time-out.

Note that the time of stopping reproduction (step S401) may be eitherearlier or later than the time of powering ON (step S501).

In the third embodiment, a radio clock is used to synchronize the clockof the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device with the clock of thein-home recording/reproduction device. The present invention is notlimited to this. A similar system can be implemented even when theclocks are synchronized with each other by other methods.

By pushing the seamless reproduction button, reproduction is started inthe in-vehicle recording/reproduction device. The present invention isnot limited this. For example, reproduction maybe started by selectionfrom an operation menu. Alternatively, when the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device gets ready to reproduce a continuation ofa scene which the user last watched at home, the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device may automatically start reproduction.

In the third embodiment, scenes which are watched in a vehicle follow ascene which was last reproduced at home. The present invention is notlimited to this. For example, the in-home recording/reproduction devicemay always record data for a predetermined time before a current time.Data starting from a scene slightly before a scene which was lastreproduced may be transmitted to the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice. The in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may startreproduction from the slightly preceding scene.

In the third embodiment, the in-home recording/reproduction devicestarts recording after reproduction is stopped. A recording command maybe transmitted to the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device beforereproduction is stopped to start recording. Thereby, the recordingoperation of the in-home recording/reproduction device can be omitted.

The recording/reproduction devices and systems of the first to thirdembodiments are assumed to be used in a vehicle and home. The presentinvention is not limited to these applications. Therecording/reproduction device of the above-described embodiment can beused in a situation where the user wants to watch a television programwhile doing something else. In this case, scenes of a television programcan be reproduced intermittently without missing a scene. For example,when the user wants to watch a television program while doing householdchores, reproduction may be performed only when the user is present infront of a television set. Alternatively, when the user wants to watch avideo while, for example, performing management of a factory or abuilding, reproduction may be performed only when the user is present infront of a monitor. In such a case, a control section may determinewhether or not watching is permitted, based on a control signal from ahuman sensing sensor.

Fourth Embodiment

In a fourth embodiment, a recording/reproduction system will bedescribed in which, when a plurality of users watch a television program(e.g., the driver watches a front display and a passenger watches a backseat display), each user can watch at home the rest of the televisionprogram which the user watched in a vehicle.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a recording/reproduction systemaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12,the recording/reproduction system comprises an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 131, an in-vehicle communication section301, an in-home communication section 302, and an in-homerecording/reproduction device 303. The in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice 131 comprises a control section 136, a second decompressingsection 134, a second reproducing section 135, a compressing section(not shown), a recording device (not shown), a first decompressingsection 104, and a first reproducing section 105. The control section136 corresponds to the control section 126 of the second and thirdembodiments. The compressing section and the recording device havesimilar functions to those of the first to third embodiment and are notillustrated in FIG. 12. The first decompressing section 104 and thefirst reproducing section 105 have similar functions to those of thedecompressing section 104 and the reproducing section 105 of the firstembodiment and are thus referenced with the same reference numerals.

As with the first decompressing section 104, the second decompressingsection 134 is connected to a recording device (not shown). The seconddecompressing section 134 has a similar function to that of the firstdecompressing section 104, and reads compressed data from a recordingdevice and decompresses the read compressed data to generate atelevision signal.

The second reproducing section 135 reproduces and displays thetelevision signal generated by the second decompressing section 134. Forexample, the second reproducing section 135 displays a video signal onthe back seat display and outputs an audio signal through a headphone ofthe back seat.

In the fourth embodiment, as in the second and third embodiments, it isassumed that the in-vehicle communication section 301 communicates withthe control section 136, and via the Internet (not shown) or the like,the in-home communication section 302.

Similarly, a television signal is input as an input signal to thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 131 and the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303.

In the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 131, it is assumed thatthe driver and the passenger watch the same television program. Sincethe driver is not permitted to watch when the vehicle is traveling, thedriver and the passenger may watch different scenes in the same program.

The control section 136 commands the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303 to start recording a television signal as required. Thecontrol section 136 transmits to the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 303 recording information similar to that described in the secondembodiment. The control section 136 also transmits reproductioninformation to the in-home recording/reproduction device 303. In thefourth embodiment, reproduction information includes first reproductioninformation which indicates what program and which scene thereof werelast reproduced in the first reproducing section 105 and secondreproduction information indicating what program and which scene thereofwere last reproduced in the second reproducing section 135. As describedabove, the program designated in the first reproduction information isthe same as the program designated in the second reproductioninformation.

As in the second embodiment, the in-home recording/reproduction device303 records and/or reproduces an input television signal in response toa command from the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 131. Thein-home recording/reproduction device 303 starts recording whenreceiving the recording information transmitted from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 131. Also,the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 stores the reproduction informationfrom the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 131. The reproductioninformation includes the first and second reproduction information.Therefore, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 manages whatprogram and which scene thereof each of the driver and the passengerlast watched in the vehicle.

The operations of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 131 andthe in-home recording/reproduction device 303 in the fourth embodimentare substantially the same as those described in the second embodimentand are performed in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7. Adifference is that the contents of reproduction information to beupdated in step S204 include the first reproduction information whichindicates what program and which scene thereof were last reproduced inthe first reproducing section 105 and the second reproductioninformation indicating what program and which scene thereof were lastreproduced in the second reproducing section 135.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of how reproduction isperformed in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 131. The firstreproducing section 105 has been described in the first and secondembodiments. In the second reproducing section 135, since the viewer isthe passenger, reproduction can be performed no matter whether thevehicle is traveling.

A description will be given with reference to FIG. 8. Points a, b, and dare the same as those described in the second embodiment. A point c is apoint where recording was ended in the vehicle and the passenger endwatching, i.e., a point where reproduction was ended in the secondreproducing section 135. Thus, information about the point b is thefirst reproduction information. Information about the point c is thesecond reproduction information. Therefore, even when the point wherereproduction was ended in the first reproducing section 105 is differentfrom the point where reproduction was ended in the second reproducingsection 135, the reproduction information includes as information thesepoints where reproduction was ended.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 in which reproduction is started withreference to the reproduction information. Hereinafter, the operation ofthe in-home recording/reproduction device 303 in which reproduction isstarted with reference to the reproduction information will be describedwith reference to FIG. 13.

Initially, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 receives acommand from the user (step S601). For example, a remote controller isprovided with a “seamless reproduction button 1” and a “seamlessreproduction button 2”. By the user pushing one of these buttons, acorresponding command is transferred to the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303. The seamless reproduction buttons 1and 2 play a role as start buttons which trigger subsequent operations.

Next, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 determines a user ID(step S602). Specifically, when the button which was pushed in step S601is the seamless reproduction button 1, ID=1. When the seamlessreproduction button 2 was pushed, ID=2. When ID=1, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 goes to an operation of step S603. Onthe other hand, when ID=2, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303goes to an operation of step S605.

In step S603, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 referencesthe first reproduction information. Next, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 recognizes at what time pointreproduction was ended in the first reproducing section 105 (step S604)and goes to an operation of step S607.

In step S605, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 referencesthe second reproduction information. Next, the in-homerecording/reproduction device 303 recognizes at what time pointreproduction was ended in the second reproducing section 135 (step S606)and goes to the operation of step S607.

In step S607, the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 reproduces arecorded program from the time point recognized in step S604 or stepS606 and ends the process.

Thus, in the recording/reproduction system of the fourth embodiment ofthe present invention, the time points where reproduction of a programwhich was watched by the driver and the passenger was ended are includedin respective reproduction information, and reproduction can be startedfrom the respective reproduction ending time points in the in-homerecording/reproduction device. Therefore, the driver and the passengercan reproduce and watch the respective rests of the program at home fromrespective scenes which were last watched.

Reproduction is started in the in-home recording/reproduction device bypushing the seamless reproduction button 1 or the seamless reproductionbutton 2. The present invention is not limited to this. For example,start of reproduction may be selected from an operation menu by eachuser.

In the fourth embodiment, a television program is watched on twodisplays, i.e., the front display and the back seat display. The presentinvention is not limited to this. Three or more displays may be watchedby different users. In this case, the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice comprises decompressing sections and reproducing sections in thesame number as that of displays, and reproduction information includesinformation indicating which scene was last reproduced in eachreproducing section. The in-home recording/reproduction device maycomprise the same number of seamless reproduction buttons or menuoptions so that a continuation of a scene may be reproduced for eachuser.

The reproduction ending time point of the passenger has been assumed tobe the same as the recording ending point of the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device. The present invention is not limited tothis. When reproduction is temporarily stopped because, for example, thepassenger wants to enjoy watching a landscape or talks on a cellulartelephone, the reproduction ending point is a scene before the recordingending point.

Fifth Embodiment

In a fifth embodiment, a recording/reproduction system will be describedin which there are a plurality of users in a vehicle as in the fourthembodiment, but they watch different television programs.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a structure of arecording/reproduction system according to the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 14, the recording/reproduction systemcomprises an in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 141, an in-vehiclecommunication section 301, an in-home communication section 302, and anin-home recording/reproduction device 403. The in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 141 comprises a control section 146, asecond compressing section 142, a first compressing section 102, arecording device 103, a decompressing section (not shown), a reproducingsection (not shown), a second decompressing section (not shown), and asecond reproducing section (not shown). The control section correspondsto the control section 126 of the third embodiment and the controlsection 136 of the fourth embodiment, and is connected to the secondcompressing section. The first compressing section is similar to thecompressing section 102 of the first embodiment. The second compressingsection 142 receives and compresses an input signal and outputscompressed television data to the recording device 103 as in the firstcompressing section 102. The other components are similar to those ofthe recording/reproduction system of the fourth embodiment. The in-homerecording/reproduction device 403 corresponds to the in-homerecording/reproduction devices 303 of the second to fourth embodimentsand has a function to simultaneously record a plurality of differenttelevision programs.

Operations of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 141 and thein-home recording/reproduction device 403 of the fifth embodiment aresubstantially the same as those of the second embodiment and areperformed in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 7. A difference is inthe contents of recording information transmitted in step S202 and thecontents of reproduction information updated in step S204.

The recording information transmitted in step S202 includes firstrecording information about a program to be reproduced in the firstreproducing section and second recording information about a program tobe reproduced in the second reproducing section. The in-homerecording/reproduction device 403, which has received the recordinginformation, simultaneously records two programs, i.e., a program to bereproduced in the first reproducing section and a program to bereproduced in the second reproducing section in accordance with thetransmitted recording information.

The reproduction information transmitted in step S206 includes firstreproduction information indicating what program and which scene thereofwere last reproduced in the first reproducing section 105 and secondreproduction information indicating what program and which scene thereofwere last reproduced in the second reproducing section 135, as in thefourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a recorded state of thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 141 and a recorded state of thein-home recording/reproduction device 403.

Hereinafter, operations of the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device141 and the in-home recording/reproduction device 303 will bespecifically described with reference to FIG. 15. Note that a programreproduced in the first reproducing section and a program reproduced inthe second reproducing section are represented with the same pattern inbars. As described above, however, since the first reproducing sectionand the second reproducing section reproduce different programs, thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device 141 and the in-homerecording/reproduction device 403 simultaneously record the twodifferent programs.

Points a1 and a2 correspond to the point a of FIG. 8. In the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device 141, the first reproducing section and thesecond reproducing section start reproducing the programs from the pointa1 and a2, respectively. In the fifth embodiment, it is assumed that thepoints al and a2 indicate the same time.

Points b1 and b2 correspond to the point b of FIG. 8. Specifically, thepoint b1 is a point where reproduction was ended in the firstreproducing section and the point b2 is a point where reproduction wasended in the second reproducing section. In this case, reproductioninformation includes first reproduction information about the point b1and second reproduction information about the point b2.

Points c1 and c2 correspond to the point c of FIG. 8. These are pointswhere the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device 141 stopped recordingthe programs. When the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device stopsrecording, the point c1 and the point c2 match each other if both theprogram reproduced in the first reproducing section and the programreproduced in the second reproducing section are still being broadcast.

Points d1 and d2 correspond to the point d of FIG. 8. Specifically, thepoint d1 is a point where broadcasting of the program reproduced in thefirst reproducing section was ended and the point d2 is a point wherebroadcasting of the program reproduced in the second reproducing sectionwas ended. The in-home recording/reproduction device 403 continues torecord the program reproduced in the first reproducing section until thepoint d1, and the program reproduced in the second reproducing sectionuntil the point d2.

When the user wants to watch the rest of a program which the userwatched in the vehicle, the user issues a command to do so to thein-home recording/reproduction device 403. The in-homerecording/reproduction device 403 starts reproducing the programreproduced in the first reproducing section from the point b1 or theprogram reproduced in the second reproducing section from the point b2.

Note that the points a1 to d1 and the points a2 to d2 are informationindicating to what degree recording has been done from the recordingstart position, but not actual address pointers, as with the points a tod.

A reproduction operation of the in-home recording/reproduction device403 of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in whichreproduction information is referenced is basically performed inaccordance with the flowchart of FIG. 13 described in the fourthembodiment. By the user pushing, for example, a “seamless reproductionbutton 1” or a “seamless reproduction button 2” provided on a remotecontroller, the in-home recording/reproduction device 403 starts anoperation. When the seamless reproduction button 1 is pushed, thein-home recording/reproduction device 403 references the firstreproduction information included in the reproduction information torecognize a program which was reproduced in the first reproducingsection and a time point where reproduction was ended, and startsreproduction from the time point. Similarly, when the “seamlessreproduction button 2” is pushed, the in-home recording/reproductiondevice 403 references the second reproduction information included inthe reproduction information to recognize a program which was reproducedin the second reproducing section and a time point where reproductionwas ended, and starts reproduction from the time point.

Thus, in the recording/reproduction system of the fifth embodiment ofthe present invention, for example, even when the driver and thepassenger watched different programs, the driver and the passenger canwatch continuations of respective scenes which they watched in thevehicle.

In the first to fifth embodiments, it is not assumed that channels arechanged. When channels are changed while watching programs in a vehicle,the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device may transmit recordinginformation again at the time of changing channels, and in response tothis, the in-home recording/reproduction device may change programs tobe recorded. This case will be hereinafter described in detail.

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating recorded states of thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device and the in-homerecording/reproduction device when programs watched by the driver(reproduced in the reproducing section) are changed. In FIG. 16, a pointp corresponds to the point al of FIG. 15, where the driver startedwatching a program. A point q is a point where channels are changed. Apoint r is a point where recording of the next program (a program afterchanging channels) was started. The driver watches a program whilerepeatedly pausing and reproducing. Therefore, channels are changed whenwatching a scene before a broadcast scene. In the case of FIG. 16,channels are changed when watching a point q. At this time, a programafter changing channels broadcasts a scene at the point r, so that thenext program is recorded from the point r. In this case, a portionranging the point q to the point r of the program before changingchannels has not been reproduced. The in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice commands the in-home recording/reproduction device to stoprecording the program before changing channels at the time point (thepoint q) where channels were changed, and transmits new recordinginformation to start recording a program after changing channels.

A point s corresponds to the point b1 of FIG. 15. Information about thepoint s is information which is transmitted as final reproductioninformation from the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device to thein-home recording/reproduction device.

A point t corresponds to the point cl of FIG. 15 and is a point whererecording the program was ended in the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice. A point u corresponds to the point d1 of FIG. 15 and is a pointwhere broadcasting of the program after changing channels was ended. Thein-home recording/reproduction device continues to record the programuntil the point u.

Thus, when channels are changed, the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice and the in-home recording/reproduction device may stop recordinga program which has been so far watched and start recording a newprogram.

Note that, when the in-vehicle and/or in-home recording/reproductiondevices have a function to record programs on a plurality of channels,the in-vehicle and/or in-home recording/reproduction devices maycontinue to record a program before changing channels without stoppingrecording.

The same is true of when programs watched by the passenger (reproducedin the second reproducing section) are changed. In this case, in FIG.16, there is a possibility that the point q and the point r are the samepoint. Similarly, there is a possibility that the point s and the pointt are the same point.

Data of a program before changing channels (the point p to the point r)may be deleted at a time point where channels were changed sincechanging channels by the user may mean that the use does not want towatch the program. Alternatively, a portion which has not beenreproduced (the point q to the point r) may be stored, but is notdeleted.

In FIG. 15, it is assumed that the points al and a2 are the same time.The present invention is not limited to this. The points a1 and a2 maybe different times. In this case, recording information may betransmitted to the in-home recording/reproduction device at each of thepoints a1 and a2.

Note that, also in the fifth embodiment, three or more displays may bewatched by different users, as in the fourth embodiment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, therecording/reproduction device, the recording/reproduction system, andthe recording/reproduction method of the present invention permit theuser to watch the rest of data which was watched using an in-vehicledevice, using an external device without missing a scene, andalternatively, to watch a program which was watched using the externaldevice, using the in-vehicle device without missing a scene. The presentinvention is useful as a recording/reproduction device, arecording/reproduction device, a recording/reproduction system, arecording/reproduction method, and the like for achieving reproductionbetween a vehicle and home without missing a scene.

1. A recording/reproduction system comprising an in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device and a recording/reproduction device whichreceive the same signal and can communicate with each other, wherein thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device is provided in a vehicle, therecording/reproduction device is provided outside the vehicle, thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device comprises: a first recordingdevice into which data can be recorded and from which the recorded datacan be read out; a reproducing section operable to read and reproducethe data recorded in the first recording device; a recording informationtransmitting section operable to, when starting recording the data inthe in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, transmitrecording/reproduction device recording information about the data whichthe in-vehicle recording/reproduction device started recording; and areproduction information transmitting section operable to transmit tothe recording/reproduction device reproduction information indicating atime point where reproduction was stopped, the recording/reproductiondevice comprises: a second recording device of recording the same dataas the data recorded in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction devicebased on the recording information transmitted from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device; and a reproduction starting sectionoperable to start reproduction from the position where reproduction wasstopped in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device based on thereproduction information from the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice.
 2. The recording/reproduction system according to claim 1,wherein the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device further comprisesan unrecorded data transmitting section operable to recognize arecording start position in the recording/reproduction device, andtransmit to the recording/reproduction device data which has not beenreproduced in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device and has notbeen recorded in the recording/reproduction device.
 3. Therecording/reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device further comprising a datatransmitting section operable to, after the recording information istransmitted, transmit to the recording/reproduction device data which isrecorded for a predetermined time from start of recording, and therecording/reproduction device further comprising a datareceiving/recording section operable to record the data transmitted fromthe data transmitting section so that the data is continuously linked tothe data which has already been recorded in the recording/reproductiondevice.
 4. An in-vehicle recording/reproduction device which isinstalled in a vehicle and records and reproduces data based on an inputsignal, comprising: a recording device into which the data can berecorded and from which the recorded data can be read out; a reproducingsection operable to read and reproduce the data recorded in therecording device; a recording information transmitting means of sectionoperable to, when starting recording the data in the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, transmit to an externalrecording/reproduction device recording information about the data whichthe in-vehicle recording/reproduction device started recording; and areproduction information transmitting section operable to transmit tothe recording/reproduction device reproduction information indicating aposition where reproduction was stopped.
 5. The in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device according to claim 4, wherein thereproduction information transmitting section transmits the reproductioninformation before the vehicle is powered OFF.
 6. The in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device according to claim 4, wherein thereproduction information transmitting section transmits the reproductioninformation every time reproduction is stopped.
 7. The in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device according to claim 4, further comprisingan unrecorded data transmitting section operable to recognize arecording start position in the recording/reproduction device, andtransmitting to the recording/reproduction device data which has notbeen reproduced in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device and hasnot been recorded in the recording/reproduction device.
 8. Thein-vehicle recording/reproduction device according to claim 4, furthercomprising a specialized button for activating at least one of therecording information transmitting section, the reproduction informationtransmitting section, and the unrecorded data transmitting section. 9.The in-vehicle recording/reproduction device according to claim 4,wherein a specialized menu for activating at least one of the recordinginformation transmitting section, the reproduction informationtransmitting section, and the unrecorded data transmitting section, isdisplayed on an operation screen for operating the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device.
 10. A recording/reproduction device whichcan communicate with an in-vehicle recording/reproduction deviceinstalled in a vehicle and records and reproduces data based on an inputsignal, a recording section operable to receive recording informationabout the data transmitted from the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice, and recording the data based on the recording information; and areproduction starting section operable to receive reproductioninformation indicating a position where reproduction was stopped, thereproduction information being transmitted from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device, and start reproduction based on thereproduction information.
 11. The recording/reproduction deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein the reproduction starting section startsreproduction from a position located a predetermined time before thereproduction position included in the reproduction information.
 12. Therecording/reproduction device according to claim 10, further comprisinga specialized button for activating the reproduction starting section.13. The recording/reproduction device according to claim 10, wherein aspecialized menu for activating the reproduction starting section isdisplayed on an operation screen for operating therecording/reproduction device.
 14. The recording/reproduction deviceaccording to claim 10, further comprising a deleting section operable todelete data before the position indicated by the reproductioninformation.
 15. The recording/reproduction device according to claim10, further comprising a data receiving/recording section operable toreceive and record data before a recording start position of therecording/reproduction device from the in-vehicle recording/reproductiondevice so that the data is continuously linked to the data which hasalready been recorded in the recording/reproduction device.
 16. In asystem comprising an in-vehicle recording/reproduction device and arecording/reproduction device which receive the same signal and cancommunicate with each other, a recording/reproduction method forreproducing in the recording/reproduction device the rest of data whichwas reproduced in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device, themethod comprising the steps of: causing the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device to, when the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device starts recording the data, transmit to therecording/reproduction device recording information for causing therecording/reproduction device to record the same data; causing therecording/reproduction device to start recording the same data as thedata recorded in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device inaccordance with the recording information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device; causing the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device to transmit to the recording/reproductiondevice reproduction information indicating a position where reproductionwas stopped in the in-vehicle recording/reproduction device; and causingthe recording/reproduction device to perform reproduction in accordancewith the reproduction information from the in-vehiclerecording/reproduction device.